Oklahoma State University: Understanding Student Demographics

Oklahoma State University (OSU), established in 1890 through the Morrill Act, has evolved into a comprehensive institution. The university's history is intertwined with the state's development, beginning as Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College. Today, OSU boasts a diverse student body and a wide array of academic and extracurricular activities. Each year, students spend part of the fall semester preparing for OSU's Homecoming celebration. Starting in 1913, the celebration now draws in more than 40,000 alumni and over 70,000 participants each year to the Stillwater campus.

Historical Context and Growth

On December 25, 1890, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature gained approval for Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College. The legislature specified that the college was to be within Payne County. Stillwater ultimately gained the campus. The first students assembled for class on December 14, 1891. For two and a half years, classes were held in local churches, until the first academic building, later known as Old Central, was constructed and dedicated on June 15, 1894, on the southeast corner of campus. In 1896, Oklahoma A&M held its first commencement with six male graduates.

In 1906, Morrill Hall was completed and became the principal building on campus. On-campus housing at Oklahoma A&M College began in 1910, with the opening of the Boys' Dormitory, later renamed Crutchfield Hall. Also opened in 1910 was the Women's Building, a dorm for female students that also contained a dining hall, home economics classes, and a women's gymnasium. It was later named Garner Hall. Much of the growth of Oklahoma A&M and the architectural integrity of the campus can be attributed to Henry G. Bennett, who served as the school's president from 1928 to 1950. Early in his tenure, Dr. Bennett developed a strategic vision for the university campus's physical expansion. The plan was adopted in 1937, and his vision was followed for more than fifty years, including the predominant Georgian architecture style that permeates the campus.

On May 15, 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name to the Oklahoma State University of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, to reflect the broadening scope of its curriculum. However, the name was quickly shortened to Oklahoma State University for most purposes, and the "Agricultural & Applied Sciences" name was formally dropped in 1980.

Overall Enrollment

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus had a total enrollment of 26,043 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is 20,830 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,213. This means that 80% of students enrolled at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus are enrolled full-time. In contrast, at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, the total enrollment was 4,134 students in 2023, with a full-time enrollment of 926 students and a part-time enrollment of 3,208, indicating that only 22.4% of its students are enrolled full-time.

Demographic Composition

Race and Ethnicity

The enrolled student population at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is 63.7% White, 10.4% Two or More Races, 8.97% Hispanic or Latino, 4.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.05% Black or African American, 2.2% Asian, and 0.127% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. The university has a diverse student body with 31% students of color and 1% international students.

Comparatively, at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, the enrolled student population is 55% White, 18.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.99% Black or African American, 8.42% Two or More Races, 4.43% American Indian or Alaska Native, 2.78% Asian, and 0.145% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Gender Distribution

Oklahoma State University reflects a near-even gender distribution. University statistics show that the gender distribution is 52% female students and 48% male students. In 2023, 6,544 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. 52% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 48% awarded men. At Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, 66% of the 818 degrees awarded in 2023 went to women, and 34% to men.

Age Diversity

Oklahoma State University serves a diverse student population across multiple age demographics. The university enrolls 67% traditional college-age students (18-21 years old) and 8% non-traditional students aged 25 and older.

Geographic Diversity

Oklahoma State University attracts students from across the United States and internationally, with 1.95% coming from out of the country. 32.66% of OSU students come from out of state. The undergraduate student body is split among 41 states (may include Washington D.C.). OSU ranks 490 out of 2,183 when it comes to geographic diversity.

Academic Success and Graduation Rates

In 2023, 6,544 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,312 degrees), 7.43 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, two or more races (580 degrees).

Time to Complete Degrees

In 2023, 45% of students graduating from Oklahoma State University-Main Campus completed their program within 100% "normal time". Comparatively, 66% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 67% within 200%.

Graduation Rates by Race and Sex

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is Female and White (71.5% graduation rate).

Financial Aid and Costs

Tuition Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is $5,417, which is $−25,586 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). At Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, the median undergraduate tuition is $3,119, which is $−9,072 less than the national average for Baccalaureate/Associates Colleges ($12,192).

Average Net Price

In 2023 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus had an average net price - the price paid after factoring in grants and loans - of $18,291. In 2023 Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City had an average net price of $5,347.

Financial Aid

83% of undergraduate students at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. Comparatively, 38% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans. At Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, 35% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, while 21% received loans.

Student Loan Default Rate

In 2021 the default rate for borrower's at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 4,128 total borrowers. Similarly, in 2021 the default rate for borrower's at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 847 total borrowers.

Campus Life and Housing

Current university-owned housing options include 31 residence halls, more than 15 dining options, and six family-first apartment complexes. In recent years, on-campus housing has been undergoing significant transformation. Iba, Parker, Wentz, and Stout Halls continue to offer traditional residence hall accommodations. In addition, three residence halls were opened in the fall of 2015, collectively known as the University Commons. North houses female students, south houses male students, and West is a co-ed facility that also houses the twenty-four-hour service desk for the area.

Apartments for single students are Bost, Davis, Morsani-Smith, Peterson-Friend, Kamm, Sitlington, and Young Halls. Housing in suite-style accommodations are provided in the named Village CASNR (College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources), Village HS (Human Sciences), Village C, Village D, Village E and Village F.

Extracurricular and Traditions

Students spend part of the fall semester preparing for OSU's Homecoming celebration. Starting in 1913, the celebration now draws in more than 40,000 alumni and over 70,000 participants each year to the Stillwater campus. Men's basketball is tradition rich at Oklahoma State. The Cowboy wrestling team brought home their 33rd NCAA championship in spring 2005, scoring the most points ever by an Oklahoma State wrestling team in the NCAA. OSU won their 34th overall (and 4th consecutive) title in 2006. OSU's 34 team titles are the most ever collected by a school in one sport.

Prominent Alumni

Today, there are more than 200,000 living OSU alumni worldwide. Prominent alumni include billionaire business magnate and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, Senator Tom Coburn, former Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, former acting Surgeon General of the United States Robert A. Whitney, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven W. Taylor, former Central Bank of Somalia Governor Yussur A.F. Abrar, production designer and drummer K.K. Barrett, legal scholar Anita Hill, and Indian politician Ponnala Lakshmaiah.

Noteworthy Buildings

Listed below are just a few of the buildings at OSU.

Boone Pickens Stadium - Football stadium named after T. Boone Pickens.
Historic Gallagher-Iba Arena - Named top collegiate venue in the United States by CBS Sportsline. It is named after Edward C. Gallagher and Henry Iba. It is home to practice facilities, weight, and locker rooms as well as the original white maple wood basketball court. The court is named Eddie Sutton Court, in honor of the former OSU Men's Basketball Coach.

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